Masters Degree (MS) in Management Information Systems (MIS)
Best Universities in the World for MIS
In today’s competitive business world, there’s a need to look at the bigger picture in order to identify the various challenges and opportunities for any business.
Organisations have to look at more efficient ways to improve their planning and have more informed decision-making processes. That’s where Management Information Systems (MIS) comes into the picture.
MIS is a rapidly emerging field and serves as a perfect blend of technology and business.
What is Masters in Management Information System (MS in MIS)?
Management Information Systems revolve around the use of technology to manage huge volumes of business-relevant information to assist in strategic decision-making or to improve a company’s operation.
It involves managing information systems to analyse problem areas, finding solutions and working towards improving people’s lives or enhancing customer experience.
It also serves as a useful tool that assists in analysing market trends. This can help companies predict what’s in store for the future and thus plan efficiently to improve productivity and profitability.
According to the U.S Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs for Computer and Information Systems occupation in 2016 was 3,67,600 and the projected job growth would be 12% from 2016-26 which is faster than average for all occupations.
MS in MIS curriculum
The program would comprise required core courses along with electives or optional courses to choose from. Some programs may include a Master’s project / individual research project or a dissertation (mostly for UK programs).There may also be an internship requirement.
Some of the courses covered in the curriculum include the following:
- business communications
- enterprise application development
- advanced systems analysis & design
- advanced database management
- networks
- business information security
- economic analysis
- organizational design and implementation
- IT architecture and cloud computing
- IT project management
- principles of finance
MS in MIS program prerequisites / eligibility
Applicants need to have a bachelor’s degree. Some schools may have a minimum undergraduate GPA requirement. Programs may require or prefer an undergraduate degree in a related field. Programming proficiency or business knowledge may also be essential.
Some schools may not have an undergraduate degree preference however students may be required to complete prerequisite (technical or business) courses before joining the program. Each school would have its own set of requirements, so make it a point to check the admissions section of the schools where you wish to apply.
Programs may or may not require prior work experience; some schools mention that though work experience is not a compulsory requirement, any significant work experience in the relevant field would be given consideration during admissions.
MS in MIS application requirements
Following are the application requirements for an MS degree in MIS
- GMAT or GRE score
- Recommendation letters
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Statement of Purpose
- Video essay (wherever applicable)
- English language proficiency test (TOEFL/IELTS) for international students.
- Interview round for shortlisted candidates (wherever applicable)
Masters in MIS in USA
As in case of any other Masters program, the USA dominates the top colleges and universities offering MS in MIS.
Another thing to note is that MS in MIS is usually a STEM-designated degree program which means that international students are eligible for a 24-month OPT STEM extension in addition to the 12-month OPT period. This allows them to work in the US for at least 36 months after graduation in a related field.
In the US, schools may require students to take up prerequisite courses either before or after enrolling for the program.
Here’s the list of the top MS in MIS programs in the USA
| University/College | Program name | Duration | Program fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | University of California – Berkeley School of Information | Master of Information Management and Systems (MIMS) |
2 year full-time | Non-resident tuition+supplemental tuition+student fees $34,340 for one year |
| 2. | Carnegie Mellon University – Heinz College | Information Systems Management (MISM) |
16 months/ 12 months for professionals with min 3 yr exp. | Total tuition $75,100 for 16 months |
| 3. | NYU – Stern & NYU – Courant | Master’s of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) |
Flexibility to complete program requirements within 5 year | Tuition $45,426 per academic year |
| 4. | Indiana University – Kelley School of Business | MS in Information Systems |
Complete the required credits in 2 or 3 semesters | Indiana resident $22,858.60 per year
Non-resident tuition and fees $40,766.50 per year |
| 5. | Purdue University – Krannert School of Management | MS Business Analytics and Information Management (MS BAIM) | 11 months | Indiana Resident $24,300
Non-resident $34,200 International $48,220.68 |
| 6. | Arizona State University – W.P. Carey School of Business | Master of Science in Information Management (MS-IM) | 12 months | Resident $31,784
Non-resident $54,248 International $56,964 |
| 7. | Texas A&M – Mays Business School | MS Management Information Systems | 21 months | Approx. $16000-$17000 per year |
| 8. | The University of Texas at Austin – McCombs School of Business | Master of Science in Information Technology and Management (MSITM) | 10 months | Texas Resident $43,000
Non-Texas Resident & International $48,000 |
| 9. | University of Maryland – Robert H. Smith School of Business | Master of Science in Information Systems | 9-16 months | Tuition & fees for entire program
In-state$49,892 Out of state $62,762 |
| 10. | The University of Arizona – Eller College of Management | Master of Science in Management Information Systems | 16+ months
(3 semesters) |
Resident: $12,272 per semester Non-resident: $22,447 per semester |
| 11. | UT Dallas – Naveen Jindal School of Management | Master of Science in Information Technology and Management | 18-24 months | Resident tuition per year $14,918 – $15,432
Non-resident tuition per year $29,722 – $31,542 |
| 12. | BYU Marriott
School of Business |
Master of information systems management (MISM) degree | 12 months | $ 14,580 |
| 13. | University of Buffalo – School of Management | Master of Science in Management Information Systems | 10-12 months | Resident$15,010
Non-resident $27,000 |
| 14. | Georgia State University – J. Mack Robinson College of Business | Master of Science in Information Systems | Full-time 12 months
Part-time 24 months |
Georgia residents $41,100
Non- residents $47,000 |
Read more on MIS in US: Top ranking universities with average GRE scores
Masters in MIS in the UK
In the United Kingdom (UK), application requirements and prerequisites remain more or less the same. Some schools may give preference to an undergraduate degree in science, engineering or related discipline.
Most of the UK colleges do not compulsorily require a GMAT/GRE score but some of them mention that a good score would strengthen your application.
Here’s a list of the best MS in MIS programs in the UK
| University/College | Program name | Duration | Program fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) | MSc Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation | 12 months full-time;
24 months part-time |
UK/EU: £28,056 Overseas: £28,608 |
| 2. | The University of Manchester | MSc Management and Information Systems: Change and Development | 12 months full-time;
24 months part-time |
MSc full-time UK/EU students per annum: £11,500 International students per annum: £20,000 |
| 3. | Warwick Business School | MSc Management of Information Systems & Digital Innovation |
One year full-time | UK and international students £28,500 |
| 4. | Cranfield University | MSc Management and Information Systems | One year full-time; part-time option available | EU fees full-time: £10,250
Overseas fees full-time: £20,500 |
| 5. | University of Strathclyde, Glasgow | MSc in Information Management | 12 months full-time | Scotland/EU/Rest of UK £8,100
International £17,350 |
Best Masters in MIS in Europe
The MIS fee in Europe is much lesser than most of the American universities. Countries like Germany offer subsidized education.
List of the top MS in MIS programs in Europe
| University/College | Program name | Duration | Program fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | University of Mannheim, Germany | Master’s Program in Business Informatics | 2 years | Tuition fees for international students from non-EU countries: €1,500 |
| 2. | ESSEC
France |
Advanced Master Strategy & Management of International Business (MS SMIB) | 1 year | France campus €20,500 |
| 3. | Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands | MSc in Business Information Management | 1 year | €11,900 (Institutional fee: Dutch / EEA students)
€18,000 (Institutional fee: non-EEA students) |
| 4. | ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics & Management, Portugal | Master Programme in Management Information Systems
Lisboa |
2 years | EU students €5900
International students €7250 |
| 5. | Copenhagen Business School, Denmark | MSc in Business Administration and Information Systems | 2 years | Annual Tuition Fee: €12,500 |
Best Masters in MIS in Canada
In Canada, an undergraduate degree in related fields such as business or commerce, computer science, engineering, information systems or technology management is usually an admission prerequisite. Candidates would be required to submit their GMAT or GRE scores.
Here’s the list of the top MS in MIS programs in Canada
| University/College | Program name | Duration | Program fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | University of British Columbia – Sauder School of Business | Master of Science (MSc) program in MIS (Research oriented) | CAD13,165 | |
| 2. | Queen’s University– Smith School of Business | MSc in Management Information Systems | 12 months | International fees
CAD12,927 Domestic fees CAD5,772 |
Top Masters in MIS in Australia
Some of the Australian universities offer admissions based on prior qualifications or knowledge as well as work experience. The duration of the course you’d be required to complete would be dependent on these qualifying criteria.
Here’s the list of the best MS in MIS programs in Australia
| University/College | Program name | Duration | Program fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | The University of Melbourne | Master of Information Systems | 2 years full-time; 4 years part time | Total course fee AUD$73,275 |
| 2. | AGSM – UNSW Business School | Master of Information Systems Management | 1.5 years full-time; 3 years part-time | AUD$51,120 |
| 3. | The University of Sydney | Master of Information Technology Management | 1.5 years full-time | AUD $43,500 for 1 year |
| 4. | Monash University | Master of Business Information Systems (MBIS) | 1.5 or 2 years full-time | AUD$42,800 for 1 year |
| 5. | Macquarie University | Master of Information Systems Management | 1 or 2 years full-time | AUD$39,000 for 1 year |
| 6. | Australian National University (ANU) | Master of Business Information Systems | 2 years full-time | AUD$41,040.00 for 1 year |
Best MS in MIS in Asia
Asia may not offer much choice when it comes to a Masters in MIS. However there are a few reputed programs that offer this postgraduate option.
Here’s the list of the top MS in MIS programs in Asia
| University/College | Program name | Duration | Program fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | HKUST business school | MSc in Information Systems Management (MScISM) | 1 year | HK$270,000 |
| 2. | CUHK business school | MSc in Information and Technology Management (MScITM) | Full-time: 1 year Part-time: 18 months |
Full-time HK$210,000
Part-time HK$150,000 |
| 3. | National University of Singapore (NUS) | Master of Computing – Information Systems Specialisation | full-time 1.5 years
Part-time 2.5 years |
|
| 4. | ESSEC, Singapore | Advanced Master Strategy & Management of International Business (MS SMIB) | 1 year | SGD33,700 |
Jobs and salaries after MS in MIS
| Career role | Average salaries in US | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Data Analyst | $68,000 |
| 2. | Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst | $69,000 |
| 3. | Senior Business Analyst | $92,000 |
| 4. | Senior Project Manager, IT | $1,13,000 |
| 5. | Information Technology (IT) Director | $1,30,000 |
| 6. | Data Scientist | $85,000 |
| 7. | Business Systems Analyst | $74,000 |
| 8. | Chief Information Officer (CIO) | 1,48,000 |
| 9. | Technical Consultant | $77,000 |
| 10. | Information Security Manager | $1,12,000 |
| 11. | Database Administrator (DBA) | $87,000 |
| 12. | Data architect | $1,16,000 |
| 13. | Senior Systems Administrator | $86,000 |
| 14. | Solutions architect | $1,14,000 |
| 15. | Information Technology auditor | $74,000 |
| 16. | Analytics consultant | $88,000 |
Source: Payscale
Is a Masters in MIS degree worth it
As we’ve discussed before, an MIS would serve as an intersection of technology and management, so it would be a good choice for those looking for roles that involve both these fields.
A Master’s in MIS would cost much lesser than an MBA from USA (approx. $100,000 – $140,000 for 2 year tuition).
If you opt for a one year MIS program (instead of two years), it would be more pocket-friendly taking into account the fees, cost of living and the opportunity cost.
The MIS program would offer an excellent ROI considering the fact that the starting salaries in the US programs tend to be in the range of $60,000-$80,000 depending on the school, recruiting company and your experience level.
Read more here: Job opportunities and average starting salaries after MIS degrees
The demand for this field is expected to grow in the coming years, so if you feel getting an MS in MIS serves your career goals, go ahead and apply!
Also read:
– Best MBA Programs in Technology Management & Information Systems
– Guide to Masters (MS) Degrees
– MBA vs Masters (MSc) in Business Degrees
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