Computer and Information Sciences, General Degree

443 schools compared · Average earnings $62,617/yr

Students study the broad foundations of computing, including programming, algorithms, data structures, databases, and computer systems architecture. Graduates typically pursue careers as software developers, systems analysts, IT consultants, and database administrators across virtually every industry. Computer science graduates consistently rank among the highest-paid bachelor's degree holders in the job market.

What Computer and Information Sciences, General Graduates Do

Your degree opens doors to building the digital world. As a software developer, your day will involve writing, testing, and refining the code that powers everything from mobile apps to enterprise systems. Alternatively, you might start as a systems analyst, acting as a translator between a company’s business needs and its technical solutions. With experience, you’ll progress from executing tasks to designing complex projects or managing entire IT departments as a systems manager.

While high-growth paths like data science and information security are booming, be aware that some traditional roles like network administration face headwinds. The biggest factor is AI, which has a high impact across this field. It is fundamentally reshaping the work, automating many routine coding and analysis tasks once done by junior staff. This means fewer people will be hired to do more, and entry-level positions are shrinking. Your long-term value will lie not in simple execution, but in architecting systems, critically evaluating AI outputs, and making strategic judgment calls.

Schools Offering
443
Avg Grad Earnings
$62,617/yr
Avg DegreeOutlook Score
75/100
AI Automation Risk
Very High
59% task exposure

Common Career Paths

Where Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates typically work, ranked by salary. Salary ranges show 25th–75th percentile spread. This field has roughly 338,800 combined openings per year.

Career Path Salary Range Openings/yr Growth AI Risk
Computer and information systems managers
$171,200
$134K$216K
55,600 +15.2% 53%
Computer and information research scientists
$140,910
$103K$181K
3,200 +19.7% 63%
Database architects
$135,980
$108K$169K
4,000 +8.7% 94%
Software developers
$133,080
$103K$169K
115,200 +15.8% 87%
Computer network architects
$130,390
$102K$164K
11,200 +11.9% 61%
Information security analysts
$124,910
$92K$160K
16,000 +28.5% 65%
Data scientists
$112,590
$83K$156K
23,400 +33.5% 64%
Computer occupations, all other
$108,970
$76K$148K
31,300 +8.2% 57%
Database administrators
$104,620
$76K$133K
3,800 -0.7% 94%
Computer systems analysts
$103,790
$81K$132K
34,200 +8.7% 48%
Software quality assurance analysts and testers
$102,610
$80K$132K
14,000 +10.0% 88%
Web and digital interface designers
$98,090
$65K$142K
9,100 +7.0% 67%
Network and computer systems administrators
$96,800
$76K$123K
14,300 -4.2% 73%
Computer science teachers, postsecondary
$96,690
$65K$132K
3,500 +5.3% 51%
Computer and information systems managers
$171,200
$134K $216K
55,600 openings/yr +15.2% growth 53% AI risk
Computer and information research scientists
$140,910
$103K $181K
3,200 openings/yr +19.7% growth 63% AI risk
Database architects
$135,980
$108K $169K
4,000 openings/yr +8.7% growth 94% AI risk
Software developers
$133,080
$103K $169K
115,200 openings/yr +15.8% growth 87% AI risk
Computer network architects
$130,390
$102K $164K
11,200 openings/yr +11.9% growth 61% AI risk
Information security analysts
$124,910
$92K $160K
16,000 openings/yr +28.5% growth 65% AI risk
Data scientists
$112,590
$83K $156K
23,400 openings/yr +33.5% growth 64% AI risk
Computer occupations, all other
$108,970
$76K $148K
31,300 openings/yr +8.2% growth 57% AI risk
Database administrators
$104,620
$76K $133K
3,800 openings/yr -0.7% growth 94% AI risk
Computer systems analysts
$103,790
$81K $132K
34,200 openings/yr +8.7% growth 48% AI risk
Software quality assurance analysts and testers
$102,610
$80K $132K
14,000 openings/yr +10.0% growth 88% AI risk
Web and digital interface designers
$98,090
$65K $142K
9,100 openings/yr +7.0% growth 67% AI risk
Network and computer systems administrators
$96,800
$76K $123K
14,300 openings/yr -4.2% growth 73% AI risk
Computer science teachers, postsecondary
$96,690
$65K $132K
3,500 openings/yr +5.3% growth 51% AI risk

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. Salary range shows 25th–median–75th percentile (national).

Best Schools for Computer and Information Sciences, General

Top 20 of 443 schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full AI scenario analysis and earnings projections.

# School DW Score Earnings ROI
1 University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
91
86–92
$136,099/yr 38.8x
2 The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX
91
85–92
$111,587/yr 27.4x
3 Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA
91
85–92
$105,137/yr 32.0x
4 Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
91
84–92
$90,673/yr 32.0x
5 University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
91
84–92
$90,651/yr 49.2x
6 University of Florida-Online
Gainesville, FL
91
84–92
$90,651/yr 81.6x
7 University of New Mexico-Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM
91
84–92
$89,498/yr 34.8x
8 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI
90
84–91
$113,634/yr 21.2x
9 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA
90
83–90
$96,432/yr 20.8x
10 Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT
90
83–91
$84,242/yr 30.3x
11 Brigham Young University
Provo, UT
90
83–91
$80,934/yr 46.6x
12 University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA
89
83–90
$98,067/yr 18.2x
13 University of California-Davis
Davis, CA
89
83–90
$84,343/yr 22.5x
14 Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX
89
82–90
$82,521/yr 21.4x
15 Texas A & M University-College Station
College Station, TX
89
82–90
$81,231/yr 20.8x
16 University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI
89
82–90
$80,566/yr 25.5x
17 Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO
89
82–90
$78,856/yr 22.6x
18 University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE
89
82–90
$78,017/yr 24.7x
19 University of Maryland Global Campus
Adelphi, MD
89
82–90
$75,619/yr 31.5x
20 The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL
88
81–89
$83,651/yr 20.4x

Highest Earning Computer and Information Sciences, General Programs

Schools where Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

School 1-Year Earnings DW Score
University of Pennsylvania $146,204/yr 84
University of California-Los Angeles $136,099/yr 91
Yale University $133,293/yr 83
Rice University $131,154/yr 82
Northeastern University $115,587/yr 79
Northeastern University Professional Programs $115,587/yr 67
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor $113,634/yr 90
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign $113,503/yr 76
The University of Texas at Austin $111,587/yr 91
Johns Hopkins University $109,514/yr 80

Best ROI for Computer and Information Sciences, General

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Computer and Information Sciences, General.

School ROI Multiple Earnings DW Score
University of Florida-Online 81.6x $90,651/yr 91
Daytona State College 69.3x $45,498/yr 79
Broward College 62.3x $52,497/yr 81
Seminole State College of Florida 59.4x $51,316/yr 81
Brigham Young University-Idaho 54.3x $63,444/yr 87
University of Florida 49.2x $90,651/yr 91
Santa Fe College 47.1x $49,302/yr 71
University of North Carolina at Pembroke 46.9x $45,532/yr 76
Brigham Young University 46.6x $80,934/yr 90
Florida Atlantic University 44.0x $58,379/yr 84
Want to compare two Computer and Information Sciences, General programs side by side? Use the comparison tool →

Related Majors

Explore similar fields of study.

Consider the Trade Route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Computer and Information Sciences, General offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates earn?
Across 443 schools, Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates earn an average of $62,617 per year in their first year after graduation. Earnings range from $20,894 to $146,204 depending on the school.
What is the AI automation risk for Computer and Information Sciences, General?
Computer and Information Sciences, General is rated "Very High" for AI automation risk, with an average of 59% of job tasks exposed to large language models and AI tools. This means most career tasks in this field could be augmented or replaced by AI over the next decade.
Which school has the best Computer and Information Sciences, General program?
Based on our DegreeOutlook Score (combining earnings, AI resilience, job market size, and ROI), University of California-Los Angeles ranks #1 for Computer and Information Sciences, General with a score of 91/100 and graduate earnings of $136,099/yr.
What's the outlook for a Computer and Information Sciences, General degree?
On average, Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates earn 16.6x their in-state tuition over 10 years. This is a strong return on investment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →