Entry Level Salary
$70,000
Median Salary
$120,000
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
14.5%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $4,800,000
Entry (Early)
$70,000
Median (Prime)
$120,000
High (Prime)
$124,931
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
+162k
+566k
+605k
$25k / yr
+72k
+476k
+515k
$50k / yr
-18k
+386k
+425k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
29
24
24
$25k / yr
40
27
27
$50k / yr
Never
30
30
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
∞
∞
∞
$25k / yr
66%
438%
474%
$50k / yr
-8%
177%
196%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate30.8%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Software developers
31.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$94,391
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$129,115|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%
Computer programmers
4.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$65,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$102,650|$98,670
openings
5,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -6%
Management occupations
4.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$90,040
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$150,000|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Computer and information systems managers
4.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$85,538
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$147,486|$171,200
openings
55,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.2%
Computer occupations, all other
3.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$57,401
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$96,751|$108,970
openings
31,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.2%
Computer systems analysts
2.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$67,530
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$105,000|$103,790
openings
34,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.7%
Computer support specialists
2.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$50,648
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$79,052|$61,550
openings
50,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2.7%
Top executives
1.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$70,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$190,000|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Management analysts
1.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$84,413
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$104,125|$101,190
openings
98,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.8%
Engineers, All Other
1.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$87,789
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$118,178|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| accounting and computer science. | Undergrad Certificate | 1 | $46,602 - $46,602 |
| computer science. | Undergrad Certificate | 2 | $90,271 - $97,334 |
| computer science. | Associate's Degree | 13 | $45,701 - $96,985 |
| computer science. | Bachelor's Degree | 323 | $32,348 - $271,601 |
| computer science. | Master's Degree | 45 | $104,843 - $331,747 |
| computer science. | Doctoral Degree | 1 | $124,721 - $124,721 |
| mathematics and computer science. | Bachelor's Degree | 4 | $91,459 - $94,546 |