Home › California State University-Sacramento › Computer Science

Computer Science at California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
85 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
86
Optimistic
85
Base Case
78
Pessimistic
Earnings $60,028/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 34.8x earnings multiple (13.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #81 of 345 Computer Science programs Top 25%

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 $1,116K $1,059K $775K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 36.7x 34.8x 25.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 14.3x 13.6x 9.9x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 86 85 78

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,408
Out-of-state: $77,928 (13.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$42,048
-38% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,004
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$108,027
80% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $60,028 place California State University-Sacramento below the $73,713 national median for Computer Science — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 34.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Computer Science carry above-average AI exposure (72% of tasks). The 31% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

With first-year pay of $60,028 far exceeding the $15,004 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

California State University-Sacramento ranks #81 among 345 Computer Science programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $60,028-to-$108,027 earnings arc over five years reflects a 80% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Sacramento

California State University-Sacramento accepts 94% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 27,867 students enrolled in Sacramento, CA. 49% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

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

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-Sacramento

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($116,001) Construction Engineering ($90,836) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($74,450) Civil Engineering ($71,342) Mechanical Engineering ($66,462) Computer Engineering ($66,266) Interior Architecture ($50,108) Economics ($49,312)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 85/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at California State University-Sacramento?
At 85/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Science at California State University-Sacramento?
The 72% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is California State University-Sacramento one of the best schools for Computer Science?
Among 345 Computer Science programs, California State University-Sacramento's #81 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Is California State University-Sacramento a good choice for Computer Science despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-Sacramento's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →