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Computer Science at North Carolina Wesleyan University

Rocky Mount, NC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Computer and Information Sciences, General
53 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
54
Optimistic
53
Base Case
51
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,142/yr (-33% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)
ROI 4.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #422 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 $646K $634K $547K
Earnings Multiple 4.5x 4.5x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 74% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 54 53 51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$142,144
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,660
49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,834
5.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,563
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $42,142 place North Carolina Wesleyan University below the $62,617 national median for Computer Science — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

At 4.5x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 15% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Computer Science career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $42,142 far exceeding the $20,834 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #422 ranking among 443 Computer Science programs places North Carolina Wesleyan University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 48% earnings increase from $42,142 to $62,563 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About North Carolina Wesleyan University

North Carolina Wesleyan University accepts 78% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 1,169 students in Rocky Mount, NC. Pell Grant recipients make up 47% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. After financial aid, the average student pays $72,660 over four years — 49% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at North Carolina Wesleyan 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 North Carolina Wesleyan University

Marketing ($45,880) Accounting and Related Services ($39,220) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($37,358) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($33,735) Psychology, General ($30,570)

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

What does a 53/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at North Carolina Wesleyan University?
At 53/100, the score looks reasonable — but Computer Science is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Science at North Carolina Wesleyan University?
The 69% 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 North Carolina Wesleyan University a good choice for Computer Science despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If North Carolina Wesleyan University'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 →