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Computer Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
78 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
80
Optimistic
78
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $104,943/yr (42% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 5.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #173 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 $1,379K $1,298K $906K
Earnings Multiple 5.6x 5.2x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 80 78 72

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$247,536
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$132,556
46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,233
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$148,254
41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $104,943 put Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Computer Science program 42% above the national median of $73,713 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 5.2x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

The 34% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 72% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Computer Science graduates.

With first-year pay of $104,943 far exceeding the $23,233 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #173 of 345 Computer Science programs, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $104,943 to $148,254 over five years — a 41% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

A 58% admission rate makes Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving 5,909 students in Troy, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $132,556 over four years — 46% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute →

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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($94,722) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($85,172) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($83,412) Mathematics ($80,196) Chemical Engineering ($78,263) Nuclear Engineering ($77,014) Industrial Engineering ($74,787) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($74,427)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
This program scores 78/100 — 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 $905,915 in decade earnings vs $1,378,855 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →