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Computer Science at Occidental College

Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
58 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
59
Optimistic
58
Base Case
51
Pessimistic
Earnings $63,845/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 2.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #313 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 $685K $667K $561K
Earnings Multiple 2.7x 2.6x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 59 58 51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$253,784
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$157,316
38% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,067
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $63,845/yr, roughly in line with the $73,713 national median for Computer Science. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The financial case is thin at 2.6x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Science's typical career paths, with 72% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 18% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $63,845 far exceeding the $22,067 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #313 of 345 Computer Science programs, Occidental College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Occidental College

Occidental College accepts 40% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, with a smaller student body of 1,844 in Los Angeles, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $157,316 over four years — 38% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Occidental College →

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 Occidental College

Economics ($64,885) Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($49,529) Political Science and Government ($45,175) Sociology ($42,653) International Relations and National Security Studies ($35,231) Psychology, General ($31,002) Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($30,526) Biology, General ($28,691)

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 Occidental College?
This program scores 58/100 — 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 $561,122 in decade earnings vs $684,828 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →