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Computer Science at California State University-Monterey Bay

Seaside, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
85 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
87
Optimistic
85
Base Case
79
Pessimistic
Earnings $71,458/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 26.4x earnings multiple (10.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #93 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 $816K $786K $626K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 27.4x 26.4x 21.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.6x 10.2x 8.1x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 87 85 79

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,748
Out-of-state: $77,268 (10.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$57,948
-95% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,022
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$86,576
21% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $71,458/yr, Computer Science graduates from California State University-Monterey Bay land near the $73,713 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 26.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 72% task exposure — and the 23% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $16,022 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #93 out of 345 programs, California State University-Monterey Bay's Computer Science offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $71,458 to $86,576 shows 21% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About California State University-Monterey Bay

With 95% of applicants admitted, California State University-Monterey Bay prioritizes broad access, enrolling 5,811 students in Seaside, CA. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Monterey Bay →

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

Compare this program → View all 345 schools offering Computer Science →

Computer Science at Other Schools

California Institute of Technology ($173,344) Carnegie Mellon University ($171,264) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($154,492) Cornell University ($152,656) Harvard University ($152,251) Brown University ($151,065) University of California-Berkeley ($149,866) Princeton University ($146,624)

Other Majors at California State University-Monterey Bay

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($117,088) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($47,825) Human Services, General ($37,501) Hospitality Administration/Management ($35,760) Biology, General ($35,312) Social Sciences, General ($34,678) International/Global Studies ($34,246) Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services ($34,089)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California State University-Monterey Bay's Computer Science program score?
A score of 85/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. California State University-Monterey Bay's Computer Science graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Computer Science to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Computer Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 72% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →