UNDERGRADUATE
Supply Chain & Information Systems
Design the systems that keep complex organizations moving. Connect operations, technology, and data to improve business performance.
Build Better Business Systems
Every product you purchase, every service you use, and every organization you interact with depends on interconnected business systems that coordinate people, processes, information, technology, and global operations.
At Penn State Smeal College of Business, you'll build expertise in supply chain management, operations, business analytics, and information systems while developing the skills to design, improve, and manage the systems that create value for organizations around the world.
Through coursework, student consulting projects, internships, leadership opportunities, and other hands-on experiences, you'll learn to:
Analyze complex supply chains, business processes, and organizational systems
Improve performance across sourcing, operations, manufacturing, logistics, and distribution
Use data, analytics, AI, and digital technologies to support business decisions
Evaluate strategic tradeoffs across interconnected business systems.
Collaborate across sourcing, manufacturing, information systems, and business functions to solve complex organizational challenges
What You'll Study
Featured Courses
Spreadsheet Analysis: Use data and analytics to solve problems and support decisions.
Operational Excellence: Improve manufacturing and service operations.
Strategic Sourcing: Develop sourcing strategies and supplier relationships.
Supply Chain Modeling: Analyze bottlenecks and improve performance.
Supply Chain Design: Build efficient, sustainable global supply chains.
What You Can Do with a Supply Chain & Information Systems Degree
Business Systems Analyst
Bridge the gap between business needs and technology solutions by identifying opportunities, improving processes, and helping teams work smarter. Median salary: $70,015
Operations Research Analyst
Apply analytical models and data-driven insights to solve business problems, evaluate tradeoffs, and improve decision-making across industries. Median salary: $91,290
Supply Chain Manager
Lead the sourcing, movement, and delivery of products across global networks. Balance cost, service, and operational performance. Median salary: $102,010
88%
Placement Rate
$68,634
Average Starting Salary
#7
Undergraduate Supply Chain
U.S. News & World Report (2026)
#13
Undergraduate Production & Operations
U.S. News & World Report (2026)
Solve Real Business Problems Before Graduation
Center for Supply Chain Research®
Connect with hundreds of employers, industry partners, and alumni through one of the nation's leading supply chain research centers, supporting extensive recruiting opportunities each year.
SCIS Career Fair
Meet employers recruiting directly for internships, co-ops, and full-time roles through a dedicated recruiting event focused on Supply Chain & Information Systems talent.
Sigma Chi Mu Tau Honor Society
Conduct research on real supply chain challenges through the national supply chain honor society while working alongside faculty and industry professionals.
Supply Chain Leadership Academy
Develop leadership and decision-making skills through faculty-led programs focused on the challenges facing modern supply chains and operations.
Supply Chain Leaders Forum
Engage with executives, researchers, and practitioners as they discuss the disruptions shaping global supply chains.
Schreyer Honors Research
Transform coursework into original research projects and faculty-mentored thesis work that explores Supply Chain & Information Systems topics in depth.
Supply Chain & Information Systems Student Success in Action
Kate McVay, Supply Chain & Information Systems
Turning Classroom Experience Into Global Supply Chain Leadership
Supply Chain & Information Systems major Kate McVay combined research, leadership, and industry engagement at Penn State Smeal. As a Sigma Chi Mu Tau member, teaching assistant, and student researcher, she developed analytical and problem-solving skills for managing complex supply chains. Through research, mentoring, and professional development, Kate prepared for a career in supply chain management.
Is Supply Chain & Information Systems Right for You?
SC&IS Is a Strong Fit If You:
Want to understand how companies work—and how to make them work better
Enjoy seeing connections across people, processes, information, and technology
Are drawn to using data and technology to solve real business challenges
Value balancing big-picture thinking with attention to operational details
See yourself in supply chain, consulting, analytics, operations, or technology-focused roles
Connect With Us
Penn State Undergraduate Admissions
Smeal College of BusinessSmeal Undergraduate Advising
Supply Chain & Information Systems Department
More Information: Supply Chain & Information Systems Degree
Work alongside faculty on research focused on real supply chain and information systems challenges. Opportunities include SCM 496 research projects, Schreyer Honors Options connected to SC&IS coursework, and faculty-supervised honors theses.
Connect with students, alumni, faculty, and industry leaders through an organization dedicated to supporting and advancing women in supply chain careers. Access mentorship opportunities, professional development resources, and career stories from supply chain professionals across industries.
Connect with industry leaders as they examine emerging technologies, workforce trends, and the evolving challenges shaping modern supply chains. Gain exposure to the ideas and innovations influencing the future of the profession.
Discover faculty research on the forces shaping global supply chains, from disruption and resilience to sustainability, technology, and international trade. See how supply chain scholarship influences business strategy around the world.
AI is reshaping how organizations forecast demand, manage inventory, and optimize transportation. But the decisions those tools surface still require someone who understands the full system, including the constraints, the tradeoffs, and the human consequences of getting it wrong. At Penn State Smeal, the SC&IS curriculum builds exactly that systems-level judgment alongside the analytical skills to work with the tools themselves.