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Computer Science at San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
82 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
83
Optimistic
82
Base Case
75
Pessimistic
Earnings $50,553/yr (-31% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 40.1x earnings multiple (15.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #117 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 $1,261K $1,191K $848K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 42.5x 40.1x 28.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 16.3x 15.4x 11.0x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 83 82 75

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,696
Out-of-state: $77,216 (15.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,528
-74% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,353
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$112,049
122% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

San Francisco State University's Computer Science graduates start at $50,553/yr, trailing the $73,713 national average by 31%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 40.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI exposure is significant at 72% of job tasks, producing a 33% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $17,353 in median debt clears quickly against $50,553 in annual earnings.

Ranked #117 out of 345 programs, San Francisco State University's Computer Science offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $50,553 to $112,049 over five years (122% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About San Francisco State University

A 96% acceptance rate means San Francisco State University is accessible to most applicants, with 20,033 students enrolled in San Francisco, CA. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at San Francisco State 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

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 San Francisco State University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($117,532) Mechanical Engineering ($72,647) Civil Engineering ($68,256) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($67,345) Finance and Financial Management Services ($62,778) Accounting and Related Services ($60,607) International Business ($58,560) Microbiological Sciences and Immunology ($56,071)

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

How does San Francisco State University's Computer Science program score?
A score of 82/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. San Francisco State 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.
Why are Computer Science earnings lower at San Francisco State University?
Lower starting pay at San Francisco State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →