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Computer Science at Clarkson University

Potsdam, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
76 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
78
Optimistic
76
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $79,744/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 4.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #190 of 345 Computer Science programs

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 $1,177K $1,115K $806K
Earnings Multiple 5.1x 4.8x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 78 76 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$231,800
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$127,820
45% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,615
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$121,821
53% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $79,744/yr, edging above the $73,713 national average for Computer Science — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

An earnings multiple of 4.8x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

The 32% 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.

At $25,615 in median debt against $79,744 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #190 of 345 Computer Science programs, Clarkson University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $121,821 show a 53% jump from the $79,744 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Clarkson University

Clarkson University has a 77% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 2,449 students in Potsdam, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $127,820 over four years — 45% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Clarkson 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

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 Clarkson University

Computer Engineering ($80,942) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,940) Chemical Engineering ($75,887) Engineering-Related Fields ($74,407) Mechanical Engineering ($73,168) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($71,783) Civil Engineering ($70,136) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($67,308)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Clarkson University?
This program scores 76/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Computer Science programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
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 $805,646 in decade earnings vs $1,177,026 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →