Bachelor’s Degree in Information Systems and Technologies

Experiential learning is central to the WPI experience, with the university integrating projects throughout the undergraduate curriculum rather than treating practical work as an add-on. Information Systems and Technologies students can work on team-based projects, faculty research, internships and co-ops, and substantial IQP and MQP experiences that allow them to apply business and technology concepts to authentic problems in the U.S. and around the world. WPI also provides opportunities to work with faculty, industry partners, and external organizations while developing a portfolio of completed project work.

Students can gain practical experience through:

• Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP): A required third-year project in which students apply their knowledge to an interdisciplinary problem, often connecting technology with social, organizational, or global issues.

• Major Qualifying Project (MQP): A required senior-level, team-based professional design or research experience. MQPs may be sponsored by corporations or other external organizations and give students the opportunity to tackle real-life problems.

• Project-based curriculum: WPI’s seven-week terms create space for intensive team-based and open-ended project work, with projects integrated into courses as well as the major requirements.

• Global Projects Program: Students can complete projects away from campus through WPI’s network of more than 50 project centers, including opportunities for IQP and MQP experiences.

• Business and technology projects: The IST program specifically encourages students to support faculty research and conduct projects off campus in the U.S. or abroad.

• Internships and co-ops: WPI supports career-related internships and paid co-ops. Co-op positions are typically full-time and can last four to eight months, giving students an opportunity to apply their technical and business knowledge in a professional environment.

• Technology and computing research: Students can engage with WPI research groups in areas such as Database Systems, Applied Logic and Security, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Visualization and Information Equity.

• Data and visualization research: The VIEW Lab uses computational methods to study interactive data visualizations and visual analytics systems, offering a relevant research environment for students interested in information, data, and technology.

• Innovation Studio and i3 Lab: WPI’s innovation spaces support ideation, product development, prototyping, and entrepreneurship, giving students opportunities to move technology-focused ideas toward real-world applications.

• Career technology: The Handshake platform allows WPI students to search and apply for internships, co-ops, and jobs, while the Heebner Career Development Center provides career advising, employer connections, interview preparation, and salary-negotiation guidance.

Graduates of WPI’s Information Systems and Technologies program can pursue technology and business careers across consulting, software and systems development, analytics, project management, research, and technology services. WPI’s official career-outlook page identifies roles such as Engineer, Analyst, Researcher, Project Manager, Consultant, Designer, Specialist, Coordinator, Developer, and Scientist, with graduates working at major organizations across technology, consulting, finance, and business services.

Typical career paths include: Systems Analyst, Business Analyst, Technology Consultant, Project Manager.

Students can strengthen their professional progression through:

• Heebner Career Development Center: Students receive career support including career-path exploration, employer and alumni connections, labor-market insights, interview preparation, and salary-negotiation guidance.

• Handshake: WPI students can use Handshake to search and apply for internships, co-ops, and full-time jobs aligned with their career interests.

• Internships and co-ops: WPI reports that hundreds of students participate in internships and co-ops each year, gaining professional experience while exploring career options.

• Industry connections: WPI’s official Information Systems and Technologies career page identifies employers such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Salesforce, Oracle, SAP, IBM, Accenture, Deloitte, Cisco Systems, VMware, ServiceNow, Workday, Fidelity Investments, and State Street.

• Salary outcomes: WPI reports an average starting salary of $79,422 for bachelor's degree graduates in the Class of 2025. This is a university-wide bachelor's figure rather than a salary specific only to Information Systems and Technologies graduates.

• Career placement: WPI is ranked #15 for Best Career Placement by The Princeton Review (2026), while U.S. News & World Report ranks WPI #13 for Best Programs for Internships/Co-ops (2027).

• Project portfolio: The IQP and MQP give students substantial completed projects that demonstrate technical, analytical, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities to prospective employers.

• STEM designation: Information Systems and Technologies is a STEM-designated bachelor's program, which is particularly relevant for international students considering U.S. employment pathways; eligibility for any immigration benefit depends on the applicable U.S. rules and the student's circumstances.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into WPI graduate study, including the MS in Information Technology, MS in Business Analytics, MBA in Analytics, MS in Financial Technology, MS in Operations and Supply Chain Analytics, or MS in Supply Chain Management. WPI also offers accelerated BS/MS pathways in eligible programs, allowing qualified students to combine bachelor's and master's study in a shortened academic pathway.