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Computer Science at George Mason University

Fairfax, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
88 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
89
Optimistic
88
Base Case
81
Pessimistic
Earnings $84,632/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 18.8x earnings multiple (6.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #32 of 345 Computer Science programs Top 10%

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 $1,095K $1,040K $765K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.8x 18.8x 13.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.9x 6.6x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 89 88 81

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$55,260
Out-of-state: $157,588 (6.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,148
-32% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$116,307
37% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $84,632/yr, edging above the $73,713 national average for Computer Science — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 18.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI exposure is significant at 72% of job tasks, producing a 30% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

A #32 ranking out of 345 Computer Science programs nationally puts George Mason University in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $84,632 to $116,307 shows 37% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About George Mason University

George Mason University has a 89% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving a student body of 27,083 in Fairfax, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at George Mason 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 George Mason University

Homeland Security ($90,956) Computer Engineering ($87,466) Systems Engineering ($84,942) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($82,175) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($78,800) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($78,365) Civil Engineering ($75,822) Mechanical Engineering ($73,570)

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

How does George Mason University's Computer Science program score?
A score of 88/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. George Mason University'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 →