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Computer Science at Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
78 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
79
Optimistic
78
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $94,611/yr (28% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 5.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #174 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 $1,285K $1,213K $859K
Earnings Multiple 5.6x 5.3x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 79 78 71

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$228,064
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$118,776
48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$136,522
44% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $94,611 per year, Computer Science graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology significantly outpace the $73,713 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 5.3x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

The 33% 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.

The median debt load of $27,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #174 of 345 Computer Science programs, Rochester Institute of Technology falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $94,611 to $136,522 over five years — a 44% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Rochester Institute of Technology

With 71% of applicants admitted, Rochester Institute of Technology prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 13,225 in Rochester, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $118,776 over four years — 48% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Rochester Institute of Technology →

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 Rochester Institute of Technology

Computer Engineering ($90,829) Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management ($89,032) Computer Programming ($83,875) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($82,726) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($78,298) Mechanical Engineering ($76,263) Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($75,227) Engineering-Related Fields ($74,923)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at Rochester Institute of Technology?
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 $859,340 in decade earnings vs $1,285,103 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →