Computer Science at Radford University

Radford, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
84 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
85
Optimistic
84
Base Case
77
Pessimistic
Earnings $66,857/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 18.1x earnings multiple (8.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #108 of 345 Computer Science programs Top 50%

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 $930K $890K $683K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.9x 18.1x 13.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.2x 8.8x 6.8x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 85 84 77

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$49,144
Out-of-state: $100,740 (8.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$66,560
-35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,636
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$95,921
43% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $66,857/yr, roughly in line with the $73,713 national median for Computer Science. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 18.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 72% task exposure — and the 27% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $66,857 far exceeding the $24,636 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #108 out of 345 programs, Radford University's Computer Science offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $66,857 to $95,921 shows 43% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Radford University

Radford University accepts 91% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 5,609 students in Radford, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Radford 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

Computer Science at Other Schools

Other Majors at Radford University

Consider the Trade Route?

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 Radford University's Computer Science program score?
A score of 84/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Radford 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 →