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Computer Science at Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Computer and Information Sciences, General
63 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
64
Optimistic
63
Base Case
61
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,284/yr (-32% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)
ROI 12.0x earnings multiple (10.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #366 of 443 Computer and Information Sciences, General 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 $657K $643K $552K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.2x 12.0x 10.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.3x 10.1x 8.7x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 74% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 64 63 61

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$53,612
Out-of-state: $63,516 (10.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,372
-5% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
6.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,486
50% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Eastern Illinois University's Computer Science graduates start at $42,284/yr, trailing the $62,617 national average by 32%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Science programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Science's typical career paths, with 69% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 16% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,500 represents roughly 6 months of the $42,284 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #366 of 443 Computer Science programs, Eastern Illinois University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $63,486 show a 50% jump from the $42,284 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University's 68% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a smaller institution with 4,398 students in Charleston, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at Eastern Illinois 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 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 443 schools offering Computer Science →

Computer Science at Other Schools

University of Pennsylvania ($146,204) University of California-Los Angeles ($136,099) Yale University ($133,293) Rice University ($131,154) Northeastern University ($115,587) Northeastern University Professional Programs ($115,587) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($113,634) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($113,503)

Other Majors at Eastern Illinois University

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($58,817) Finance and Financial Management Services ($51,370) Accounting and Related Services ($48,070) Marketing ($46,844) Special Education and Teaching ($43,955) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($42,500) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($41,582) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($40,489)

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at Eastern Illinois University?
This program scores 63/100 — 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 69% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $551,976 in decade earnings vs $656,645 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Computer Science from Eastern Illinois University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →