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Computer Science at Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
76 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
77
Optimistic
76
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $86,930/yr (18% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 4.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #196 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 $1,093K $1,038K $764K
Earnings Multiple 4.5x 4.3x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 77 76 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$242,652
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$153,712
37% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$28,993
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$116,867
34% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $86,930/yr, edging above the $73,713 national average for Computer Science — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

An earnings multiple of 4.3x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

The 30% 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 $28,993 in median debt against $86,930 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #196 of 345 Computer Science programs, Drexel University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $86,930 to $116,867 over five years — a 34% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Drexel University

Drexel University has a 78% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 13,509 students in Philadelphia, PA. The average net cost of $153,712 over four years represents a 37% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Drexel 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 Drexel University

Computer Engineering ($89,418) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($85,441) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($81,904) Information Science/Studies ($78,755) Materials Engineering ($78,623) Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management ($78,089) Construction Management ($78,030) Chemical Engineering ($77,528)

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at Drexel 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 $763,959 in decade earnings vs $1,093,117 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →