Is a computer science degree worth it?

Questions

Is a computer science degree worth it?

On average yes — across 349 U.S. bachelor’s programs (FREOPP 2021, cohort-weighted), the mean lifetime ROI for Computer Science is +$1,157,676 and the median is +$1,003,700. 0.1% of graduate cohort weight with reported break-even data is in programs flagged as never breaking even. The honest answer depends heavily on the specific program and school: the middle half of graduates land between +$780,643 and +$1,285,372.

How long until a computer science degree pays off?

For Computer Science, Among programs that break even, the median program-estimated break-even age, weighted by graduate cohorts, is 26. 0.1% of graduate cohort weight with reported break-even data is in programs flagged as never breaking even. FREOPP 2021.

Does the school matter for a computer science major?

Enormously. The middle 50% of Computer Science graduates span +$780,643 to +$1,285,372 — a +$505K spread within one major. The same field can be a strong trade at one school and a losing one at another, which is why the per-school number matters more than the field average.