Computer and Information Sciences, General: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 489 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Positive payoff
+$145,136 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
This is a positive modeled result. Price, time to finish and future earnings can still change the outcome.
6.4 yrsModeled economic break-even
+57%Modeled 10-year ROI
$84,860Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$84,860Median reported earnings · year 4
$92,538Average reported earnings · year 5
$25,000Median federal debt
82thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
489Reporting programs
470With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $51,790
- Federal debt
- $10,938
- Reporting programs
- 53
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $54,238
- Federal debt
- $14,440
- Reporting programs
- 142
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $84,860
- Federal debt
- $25,000
- Reporting programs
- 489
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $125,902
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 78
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $158,849
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $105,731
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 2
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $87,038
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 3
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$75,310National median$84,86075th percentile$100,148
470 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
Find the colleges that fit your constraints
Keep this exact federal field and credential fixed, then narrow the reporting colleges by location, sector and federal debt.
100 matchesShowing up to 25 currently operating colleges
1University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$241,380Federal debt$15,000Annual net price$28,6992University of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$216,722Federal debt$15,248Annual net price$12,5483Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MD · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$196,467Federal debt$12,750Annual net price$18,8094Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$188,157Federal debt$12,750Annual net price$23,7775Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$187,437Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$31,9446Rice UniversityHouston, TX · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$182,443Federal debt$12,381Annual net price$13,3707Wellesley CollegeWellesley, MA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$177,213Federal debt$13,350Annual net price$25,4968University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor, MI · PublicYear-4 earnings$172,904Federal debt$20,000Annual net price$13,1389Northeastern University OaklandOakland, CA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$163,708Federal debt$23,001Annual net price$25,18110Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$163,708Federal debt$23,001Annual net price$30,91511Northeastern University Professional ProgramsBoston, MA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$163,708Federal debt$23,001Annual net priceNot available12The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX · PublicYear-4 earnings$155,168Federal debt$20,500Annual net price$19,85713Swarthmore CollegeSwarthmore, PA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$150,942Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$23,14914Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta, GA · PublicYear-4 earnings$150,628Federal debt$21,125Annual net price$12,11615Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook, NY · PublicYear-4 earnings$147,064Federal debt$16,868Annual net price$18,78416University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL · PublicYear-4 earnings$146,946Federal debt$19,399Annual net price$14,35517University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park, MD · PublicYear-4 earnings$144,501Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$15,67818Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$144,389Federal debt$15,500Annual net price$28,69019Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, VA · PublicYear-4 earnings$144,103Federal debt$20,500Annual net price$24,95320University of Notre DameNotre Dame, IN · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$142,970Federal debt$19,000Annual net price$26,78021New York UniversityNew York, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$142,495Federal debt$19,734Annual net price$37,05022University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville, VA · PublicYear-4 earnings$142,041Federal debt$17,783Annual net price$21,56523University of California, DavisDavis, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$138,673Federal debt$14,282Annual net price$14,74124Villanova UniversityVillanova, PA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$130,585Federal debt$26,225Annual net price$43,75625Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station, TX · PublicYear-4 earnings$129,401Federal debt$20,395Annual net price$21,315
Open the full program search →See the spread, not just the national number.
1University of Pennsylvania$241,3802University of California, Los Angeles$216,7223Johns Hopkins University$196,4674Yale University$188,1575Carnegie Mellon University$187,4376Rice University$182,4437Wellesley College$177,2138University of Michigan-Ann Arbor$172,9049Northeastern University Oakland$163,70810Northeastern University$163,708Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Computer and Information Research ScientistsSOC 15-1221 · 5 crosswalk linksComputer Science Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1021 · 3 crosswalk linksSoftware DevelopersSOC 15-1252 · 3 crosswalk linksSoftware Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersSOC 15-1253 · 3 crosswalk linksWeb and Digital Interface DesignersSOC 15-1255 · 3 crosswalk linksComputer Network ArchitectsSOC 15-1241 · 2 crosswalk linksComputer Systems AnalystsSOC 15-1211 · 2 crosswalk linksComputer and Information Systems ManagersSOC 11-3021 · 2 crosswalk linksData ScientistsSOC 15-2051 · 2 crosswalk linksDatabase ArchitectsSOC 15-1243 · 2 crosswalk linksComputer Occupations, All OtherSOC 15-1299 · 1 crosswalk linksDatabase AdministratorsSOC 15-1242 · 1 crosswalk links
Where this degree has enough data to compare
State pages are published only when at least five operating colleges report year-4 earnings for this exact field and credential.
PA44 programs$98,220 average earningsNY32 programs$94,771 average earningsTX31 programs$89,960 average earningsFL21 programs$85,755 average earningsOH19 programs$80,762 average earningsNJ18 programs$91,056 average earningsGA17 programs$83,334 average earningsMI16 programs$96,213 average earningsCA16 programs$101,749 average earningsVA14 programs$95,908 average earningsMO13 programs$86,656 average earningsAL13 programs$84,408 average earnings
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of PennsylvaniaBachelor's Degree | Philadelphia, PA | $241,380 | $15,000 | +566% | Strong payoff |
| 2 | University of California, Los AngelesBachelor's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $216,722 | $15,248 | +646% | Strong payoff |
| 3 | Johns Hopkins UniversityBachelor's Degree | Baltimore, MD | $196,467 | $12,750 | +493% | Strong payoff |
| 4 | Yale UniversityBachelor's Degree | New Haven, CT | $188,157 | $12,750 | +420% | Strong payoff |
| 5 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityBachelor's Degree | Pittsburgh, PA | $187,437 | Not available | +363% | Strong payoff |
| 6 | Rice UniversityBachelor's Degree | Houston, TX | $182,443 | $12,381 | +489% | Strong payoff |
| 7 | Wellesley CollegeBachelor's Degree | Wellesley, MA | $177,213 | $13,350 | +369% | Strong payoff |
| 8 | University of Michigan-Ann ArborBachelor's Degree | Ann Arbor, MI | $172,904 | $20,000 | +450% | Strong payoff |
| 9 | Northeastern University OaklandBachelor's Degree | Oakland, CA | $163,708 | $23,001 | +323% | Strong payoff |
| 10 | Northeastern UniversityBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $163,708 | $23,001 | +291% | Strong payoff |
| 11 | Northeastern University Professional ProgramsBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $163,708 | $23,001 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 12 | The University of Texas at AustinBachelor's Degree | Austin, TX | $155,168 | $20,500 | +325% | Strong payoff |
| 13 | Swarthmore CollegeBachelor's Degree | Swarthmore, PA | $150,942 | Not available | +289% | Strong payoff |
| 14 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Atlanta, GA | $150,628 | $21,125 | +362% | Strong payoff |
| 15 | Stony Brook UniversityBachelor's Degree | Stony Brook, NY | $147,064 | $16,868 | +300% | Strong payoff |
| 16 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignBachelor's Degree | Champaign, IL | $146,946 | $19,399 | +329% | Strong payoff |
| 17 | University of Maryland-College ParkBachelor's Degree | College Park, MD | $144,501 | Not available | +310% | Strong payoff |
| 18 | Cornell UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ithaca, NY | $144,389 | $15,500 | +237% | Strong payoff |
| 19 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Blacksburg, VA | $144,103 | $20,500 | +254% | Strong payoff |
| 20 | University of Notre DameBachelor's Degree | Notre Dame, IN | $142,970 | $19,000 | +241% | Strong payoff |
| 21 | New York UniversityBachelor's Degree | New York, NY | $142,495 | $19,734 | +197% | Strong payoff |
| 22 | University of Virginia-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Charlottesville, VA | $142,041 | $17,783 | +264% | Strong payoff |
| 23 | University of California, DavisBachelor's Degree | Davis, CA | $138,673 | $14,282 | +292% | Strong payoff |
| 24 | Villanova UniversityBachelor's Degree | Villanova, PA | $130,585 | $26,225 | +141% | Strong payoff |
| 25 | Texas A&M University-College StationBachelor's Degree | College Station, TX | $129,401 | $20,395 | +218% | Strong payoff |
| 26 | Oberlin CollegeBachelor's Degree | Oberlin, OH | $129,395 | $26,500 | +152% | Strong payoff |
| 27 | Pacific Lutheran UniversityBachelor's Degree | Tacoma, WA | $128,703 | $23,534 | +224% | Strong payoff |
| 28 | Loyola Marymount UniversityBachelor's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $127,011 | $26,000 | +120% | Strong payoff |
| 29 | University of FloridaBachelor's Degree | Gainesville, FL | $126,268 | $16,000 | +294% | Strong payoff |
| 30 | University of Florida-OnlineBachelor's Degree | Gainesville, FL | $126,268 | $16,000 | +308% | Strong payoff |
| 31 | Rutgers University-CamdenBachelor's Degree | Camden, NJ | $125,303 | $21,500 | +215% | Strong payoff |
| 32 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickBachelor's Degree | New Brunswick, NJ | $125,303 | $21,500 | +189% | Strong payoff |
| 33 | Rutgers University-NewarkBachelor's Degree | Newark, NJ | $125,303 | $21,500 | +210% | Strong payoff |
| 34 | Vassar CollegeBachelor's Degree | Poughkeepsie, NY | $124,469 | $17,037 | +136% | Strong payoff |
| 35 | Bucknell UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lewisburg, PA | $122,651 | Not available | +126% | Strong payoff |
| 36 | Syracuse UniversityBachelor's Degree | Syracuse, NY | $120,773 | $27,000 | +126% | Strong payoff |
| 37 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State ShenangoBachelor's Degree | Sharon, PA | $120,729 | $26,000 | +200% | Strong payoff |
| 38 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh ValleyBachelor's Degree | Center Valley, PA | $120,729 | $26,000 | +199% | Strong payoff |
| 39 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State AltoonaBachelor's Degree | Altoona, PA | $120,729 | $26,000 | +182% | Strong payoff |
| 40 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State BerksBachelor's Degree | Reading, PA | $120,729 | $26,000 | +173% | Strong payoff |
| 41 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State HarrisburgBachelor's Degree | Middletown, PA | $120,729 | $26,000 | +177% | Strong payoff |
| 42 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State BrandywineBachelor's Degree | Media, PA | $120,729 | $26,000 | +180% | Strong payoff |
| 43 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | University Park, PA | $120,729 | $26,000 | +143% | Strong payoff |
| 44 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater AlleghenyBachelor's Degree | McKeesport, PA | $120,729 | $26,000 | +213% | Strong payoff |
| 45 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State AbingtonBachelor's Degree | Abington, PA | $120,729 | $26,000 | +200% | Strong payoff |
| 46 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State SchuylkillBachelor's Degree | Schuylkill Haven, PA | $120,729 | $26,000 | +193% | Strong payoff |
| 47 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State YorkBachelor's Degree | York, PA | $120,729 | $26,000 | +196% | Strong payoff |
| 48 | University of Wisconsin-MadisonBachelor's Degree | Madison, WI | $119,655 | $22,500 | +199% | Strong payoff |
| 49 | Ohio State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Columbus, OH | $118,833 | $23,000 | +196% | Strong payoff |
| 50 | Virginia Commonwealth UniversityBachelor's Degree | Richmond, VA | $118,521 | $19,050 | +169% | Strong payoff |
| 51 | Western Connecticut State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Danbury, CT | $118,324 | $24,125 | +193% | Strong payoff |
| 52 | Rollins CollegeBachelor's Degree | Winter Park, FL | $118,277 | $27,000 | +130% | Strong payoff |
| 53 | Kalamazoo CollegeBachelor's Degree | Kalamazoo, MI | $117,826 | Not available | +184% | Strong payoff |
| 54 | University of ConnecticutBachelor's Degree | Storrs, CT | $117,412 | $19,591 | +158% | Strong payoff |
| 55 | University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusBachelor's Degree | Waterbury, CT | $117,412 | $19,591 | +224% | Strong payoff |
| 56 | University of Connecticut-Avery PointBachelor's Degree | Groton, CT | $117,412 | $19,591 | +208% | Strong payoff |
| 57 | University of Connecticut-StamfordBachelor's Degree | Stamford, CT | $117,412 | $19,591 | +193% | Strong payoff |
| 58 | University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusBachelor's Degree | Hartford, CT | $117,412 | $19,591 | +195% | Strong payoff |
| 59 | Lehigh UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bethlehem, PA | $116,999 | $24,019 | +120% | Strong payoff |
| 60 | Michigan State UniversityBachelor's Degree | East Lansing, MI | $116,905 | $24,022 | +178% | Strong payoff |
| 61 | Weber State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ogden, UT | $116,453 | $12,250 | +223% | Strong payoff |
| 62 | University of Nebraska-LincolnBachelor's Degree | Lincoln, NE | $116,221 | $20,572 | +184% | Strong payoff |
| 63 | The University of AlabamaBachelor's Degree | Tuscaloosa, AL | $115,980 | $22,000 | +163% | Strong payoff |
| 64 | Ramapo College of New JerseyBachelor's Degree | Mahwah, NJ | $115,174 | $25,000 | +178% | Strong payoff |
| 65 | Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteBachelor's Degree | Troy, NY | $115,100 | $27,000 | +116% | Strong payoff |
| 66 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusBachelor's Degree | Seattle, WA | $114,798 | $16,277 | +195% | Strong payoff |
| 67 | University of Washington-Bothell CampusBachelor's Degree | Bothell, WA | $114,798 | $16,277 | +204% | Strong payoff |
| 68 | University of Washington-Tacoma CampusBachelor's Degree | Tacoma, WA | $114,798 | $16,277 | +216% | Strong payoff |
| 69 | Colorado State University-Fort CollinsBachelor's Degree | Fort Collins, CO | $114,076 | $23,250 | +161% | Strong payoff |
| 70 | Brigham Young UniversityBachelor's Degree | Provo, UT | $113,338 | $14,250 | +182% | Strong payoff |
| 71 | Texas Tech UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lubbock, TX | $113,062 | $23,197 | +166% | Strong payoff |
| 72 | Morehouse CollegeBachelor's Degree | Atlanta, GA | $112,934 | Not available | +102% | Strong payoff |
| 73 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusBachelor's Degree | Denver, CO | $112,754 | $21,000 | +198% | Strong payoff |
| 74 | University of RichmondBachelor's Degree | University of Richmond, VA | $112,621 | $23,381 | +122% | Strong payoff |
| 75 | University of New Mexico-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Albuquerque, NM | $112,064 | $22,919 | +177% | Strong payoff |
| 76 | Bentley UniversityBachelor's Degree | Waltham, MA | $111,853 | $26,000 | +102% | Strong payoff |
| 77 | University of DelawareBachelor's Degree | Newark, DE | $111,520 | $25,334 | +165% | Strong payoff |
| 78 | George Mason UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fairfax, VA | $110,754 | $23,250 | +161% | Strong payoff |
| 79 | Utah State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Logan, UT | $110,414 | $17,996 | +173% | Strong payoff |
| 80 | Western Washington UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bellingham, WA | $110,138 | $19,333 | +146% | Strong payoff |
| 81 | Macalester CollegeBachelor's Degree | Saint Paul, MN | $109,457 | $20,829 | +109% | Strong payoff |
| 82 | Western Governors UniversityBachelor's Degree | Salt Lake City, UT | $108,836 | $23,167 | +177% | Strong payoff |
| 83 | Missouri University of Science and TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Rolla, MO | $107,195 | $23,619 | +154% | Strong payoff |
| 84 | Kansas State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Manhattan, KS | $107,194 | $25,871 | +141% | Strong payoff |
| 85 | University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireBachelor's Degree | Eau Claire, WI | $106,724 | $22,614 | +151% | Strong payoff |
| 86 | Carthage CollegeBachelor's Degree | Kenosha, WI | $106,611 | Not available | +115% | Strong payoff |
| 87 | The University of Texas at San AntonioBachelor's Degree | San Antonio, TX | $106,358 | $22,625 | +175% | Strong payoff |
| 88 | Truman State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Kirksville, MO | $106,203 | $26,000 | +165% | Strong payoff |
| 89 | George Fox UniversityBachelor's Degree | Newberg, OR | $106,106 | Not available | +99% | Positive payoff |
| 90 | The College of New JerseyBachelor's Degree | Ewing, NJ | $105,377 | $24,125 | +108% | Strong payoff |
| 91 | University of New Hampshire-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Durham, NH | $105,078 | $27,000 | +118% | Strong payoff |
| 92 | University of New Hampshire at ManchesterBachelor's Degree | Manchester, NH | $105,078 | $27,000 | +173% | Strong payoff |
| 93 | University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies OnlineBachelor's Degree | Manchester, NH | $105,078 | $27,000 | +169% | Strong payoff |
| 94 | James Madison UniversityBachelor's Degree | Harrisonburg, VA | $104,806 | $21,470 | +119% | Strong payoff |
| 95 | Skidmore CollegeBachelor's Degree | Saratoga Springs, NY | $104,708 | Not available | +93% | Positive payoff |
| 96 | University of Alabama at BirminghamBachelor's Degree | Birmingham, AL | $104,654 | $24,000 | +134% | Strong payoff |
| 97 | Wayne State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Detroit, MI | $104,630 | $20,672 | +158% | Strong payoff |
| 98 | Creighton UniversityBachelor's Degree | Omaha, NE | $104,314 | Not available | +94% | Positive payoff |
| 99 | East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaBachelor's Degree | East Stroudsburg, PA | $104,026 | $28,500 | +134% | Strong payoff |
| 100 | University of North TexasBachelor's Degree | Denton, TX | $104,024 | $24,500 | +143% | Strong payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.