What is CIS (Computer Information Systems)?

Most people are probably familiar with IT (information technology), but what is CIS (computer information systems)? From interacting with friends on a social network to buying a product in an online marketplace to producing personalized content for business customers, CIS affects people in many parts of the modern world. How can someone break into the field? Exactly what kind of information systems jobs are out there?

What are Computer Information Systems and how do they work?

Computer information systems (CIS) convert raw data into information businesses can use to make decisions. It helps answer questions such as:

• Will a process be profitable?
• How can a product be targeted to consumers who visited a company website?
• Can a combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and human labor get the job done more efficiently?

More broadly, businesses and organizations rely on computer information systems to carry out and manage operations, interact with customers and suppliers, and compete in the marketplace.

As such, it might appear that CIS involves computers or databases — and that is mostly right. But as a category, information systems is a much broader umbrella in computer science. CIS can be envisioned as a triangle with three main components: people, processes and IT.

People – Without people, a CIS wouldn’t operate properly. IT professionals, programmers, system analysts, high-level managers and help-desk workers are all part of an IS.

Processes – These are the activities carried out in a business for specific goals. For example, on a vehicle assembly line, producing car parts is part of the information system.

IT – Information technology or the use of computer hardware, software and data, ensures the information system works and can be indexed and interpreted for effective use by an organization.

An Information Systems degree sounds like an Information Technology degree, but it’s not quite the same thing.

In computer science, Information technology falls under the information systems umbrella. Information technology is more specific to the hands-on, technical type of content/program where students learn about hardware, software and developing the user side of technology. Cybersecurity, for example, is one aspect of IT.

An information systems program, on the other hand, will more broadly address the technology, people and processes.

Information systems managers must be skilled in:

1. Procedures
2. Information technology
3. Customer service
4. Project management
5. Data entry
6. Hardware
7. Technical support
8. Software development
9. Business process
10. Disaster recovery

What can I do with a computer information systems degree?

What is CIS' job growth outlook?  According to BLS, employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow about 280,000 openings each year on average, from 2025 to 2035, which is faster than the average for all occupations.

BLS Occupational Employment Projections, 2025-20325 is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

Information systems professionals span almost every conceivable professional category, including healthcare, air travel, financial services, manufacturing and education. Entire companies are even built around information systems, including eBay, Amazon and Google.

But just what can a master’s in information systems do for professionals in the field?

• Individuals who have a bachelor’s degree and are considering entering the information systems field may find advantages in enrolling in a master’s degree program, such as a Master of Information Systems.
• A master’s degree prepares successful graduates for an array of information systems jobs.
• A master’s degree may also enable professionals to grow their existing computer science skills. In-depth knowledge of an ever-changing industry, after all, adds value to almost any organization.

Professionals in management information systems, one area of specialty within the computer information systems field, who earn a master’s degree may expand their job opportunities. Some positions even require completion of a Computer Information Systems program. Typically, they’ll learn valuable communication skills and take classes on advanced topics, such as:

• Database management systems
• Programming languages
• Information system design
• Computer networking
• Business

Students  conceptualize, test and deploy their own information system, as well as learn about privacy, government regulations and security concerns. They develop the skills to deal with all three so they can keep themselves and their clients safe in the information systems and IT world.

The master’s program is different from a bachelor’s degree because it focuses more on real-world corporate situations, like using leadership skills to solve interpersonal or structural problems in tech.

What information systems jobs are out there?

One of the main careers you can expect to pursue with an MIS is as a computer and information systems manager. These professionals manage computer-related activities for organizations, such as technical services, application development, computing services and data process. 

As of May 2025, computer and information systems managers earned between $107,550 and $297,510, with a median wage of $175,140, according to BLS. BLS also projects the job outlook is estimated to grow 16% from 2025 to 2035.

Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of University of Phoenix. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. University of Phoenix does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.

Other computer information systems jobs that require bachelor- or masters-level degrees are:

• Information Systems Analyst
• Computer Systems Analyst
• IT Security Analyst