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Computer Science at Brown University

Providence, RI · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $151,065/yr (105% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)

ROI 9.0x earnings multiple

Ranked #124 of 345 Computer Science programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Computer Science graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$2,658K	$2,461K	$1,541K
Earnings Multiple	9.7x	9.0x	5.6x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	73%	40%
DegreeOutlook Score	83	82	76

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$272,920

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$106,288

61% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$11,500

0.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$271,601

80% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $151,065 put Brown University's Computer Science program 105% above the national median of $73,713 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.0x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

The 42% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 72% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Computer Science graduates.

With first-year pay of $151,065 far exceeding the $11,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #124 of 345 Computer Science programs, Brown University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $271,601 show a 80% jump from the $151,065 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Brown University

Brown University's 5% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, with a mid-sized student body of 7,273 in Providence, RI. The average net cost of $106,288 over four years represents a 61% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Brown University →

Top Career Paths

Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr

Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr

Database architects $135,980/yr

View all 13 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at Brown University?

This program scores 82/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Computer Science nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

Will AI replace Computer Science careers?

With 72% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $1,541,441 in decade earnings vs $2,658,098 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Brown University a hidden gem for Computer Science?

After financial aid, the average student pays $106,288 over four years — 61% below the $272,920 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →