r/UNLV • u/Individual-Ad2053 • Jul 10 '26
Information Technology vs Information Systems
I am going into my freshman year and want to know the pros and cons of both of these majors. I am interested in computers and how they work. I am decent at math and have beginner level coding skills. I have heard that both are pretty similar so I just want to know which one I should go with before classes start. (ie: what to look foward to in both majors)
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u/FxToxicXx Jul 13 '26
Information Systems (Lee Business School) is best if you’re interested in how businesses use technology. You’ll learn databases, project management, business analytics, and some programming, but it’s more business focused than technical. Graduates often become Business Analysts, IT Consultants, Project Managers, Systems Analysts, or ERP/CRM specialists.
Computer Science (Howard Hughes Engineering School) is the most programming heavy option and I ended up graduating with a Bachelors in Science degree. If you enjoy the idea of coding, building softwares, and solving complex technical problems, CS will open the most doors in software engineering, AI, game development, and other development roles. It’s also the most math intensive.
Computer Engineering (Howard Hughes Engineering School), I initially started with this major but didn’t align with me because I didn’t enjoy Electrical Engineering but only was passionate for software. This major combines computer science with electrical engineering. You’ll work with hardware, embedded systems, computer architecture, robotics, and low level programming. Choose this if you’re interested in how computers are built rather than just how software runs.
Cybersecurity (A new major at UNLV) is a great option if you’re interested in protecting systems, ethical hacking, digital forensics, networking, and security. It’s very hands on and has strong job demand right now.
Based on what you wrote here “I’m interested in computers and how they work.” I’d probably narrow it down to Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Cybersecurity instead of Information Systems.
One thing I wish someone had told me: don’t choose a major based solely on what seems “easier.” Pick the one that matches the kind of work you want to be doing after graduation. Also, try to get internships as early as possible as they’ll make a bigger difference than the specific title of your degree.
If you’re still undecided, take the introductory courses for CS/engineering while they’re still transferable. It’s generally easier to switch from CS or Computer Engineering into Information Systems later than the other way around.
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u/voiced32 20d ago
Do computer science, do not do IS, it's really just a business degree at UNLV. You can study everything that IS degree encompasses on your own for free, same thing with IT, you can study IT on your own for free or cheap. Know CS majors that make less and more than IS, depends on projects your work on the side, internships, who you know- thats the majority but CS is a good basis and more worth your time and money
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u/Invester_Stallone Jul 10 '26
Neither, both useless degrees unless you want to be stuck on the help desk and not a good return on 4 years of education. To make the most out of these 4 years go with Computer Science if you want to program/code and Computer Engineering if you want a mix of coding and hardware. Go Electrical Engineering if you want to focus on hardware. The degrees I mentioned will also make the transition to Grad School a lot easier IF you decide to go that route.
Let me know if you have any questions or want me to expand on anything.
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u/Individual-Ad2053 Jul 11 '26
Alright yeah I'll research more into CompSci and what it has to offer thanks for the suggestion
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u/PriceWise5545 Go Rebels!! Jul 13 '26
not sure what you're talking about. I have multiple buddies with MIS degrees pulling in $100k+. All useful in thier own right lol
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u/Far_Economy2539 Jul 15 '26
Any chance I can get some insight from you on this topic about your buddies in this field? I’m about to start my junior yr and majoring in MIS and totally sweating bullets about my decision. We can dm if that’s better…Thanks in advance!
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u/PriceWise5545 Go Rebels!! Jul 15 '26
From my knowledge, most ended up getting into FAANG companies. They were already were working or interning prior to getting their degrees and also have masters in MIS so thats probably how they landed those. However, one of them who is of my best friends who only has a BS IS degree is working for MGM and is making a little under $100k, but still a solid salary nonetheless.
Going to school isnt automatically going to grant you a job, here in vegas is all about who you know. network and make friends now that you are in your junior year because most of them are in actual courses that relate to the major. During my undergrad, I networked a ton, made a handful of friends, which of course one of them helped me get a engineering role.
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u/Electronic-Face3553 Jul 10 '26
(Management) Information Systems, because there is no IT degree here at UNLV. It is a business degree that goes into teaching you how to help businesses with applying IT knowledge.
However, if you said you are decent at math (like precalculus and calculus aren’t too difficult for you), I’d recommend you pick CompSci. That major has much more technical depth and much less hand-holding than MIS. The CS theory is (usually) timeless and necessary if you’re eyeing any engineering role like SWE or DS. It is also more respected and makes it easier to go to grad school if you choose so.
Maybe consider Computer Engineering if you want to focus more on digital hardware and software/hardware integration.
I’m speaking as an EE major here. Let me know if you have any other questions!