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Computer Science at University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Computer and Information Sciences, General
91 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
92
Optimistic
91
Base Case
86
Pessimistic
Earnings $136,099/yr (117% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)
ROI 35.4x earnings multiple (10.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 443 Computer and Information Sciences, General programs Top 1%

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 $2,072K $1,945K $1,290K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 37.7x 35.4x 23.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 11.6x 10.9x 7.2x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 74% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 92 91 86

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$54,988
Out-of-state: $178,096 (10.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,052
-2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,156
1.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$218,770
61% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of California-Los Angeles Computer Science graduates command $136,099/yr out of the gate, well above the $62,617 national median. That 117% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 35.4x 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 69% of job tasks, producing a 38% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $15,156 in median debt clears quickly against $136,099 in annual earnings.

A #1 ranking out of 443 programs puts University of California-Los Angeles in the top 1% for Computer Science. By our composite measure, very few programs deliver stronger results.

Earnings growth from $136,099 to $218,770 over five years (61% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-Los Angeles

Only 9% of applicants gain admission to University of California-Los Angeles, reflecting elite selectivity, serving a student body of 33,040 in Los Angeles, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Los Angeles →

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 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 443 schools offering Computer Science →

Computer Science at Other Schools

University of Pennsylvania ($146,204) Yale University ($133,293) Rice University ($131,154) Northeastern University ($115,587) Northeastern University Professional Programs ($115,587) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($113,634) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($113,503) The University of Texas at Austin ($111,587)

Other Majors at University of California-Los Angeles

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($94,611) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($85,369) Business/Managerial Economics ($83,604) Mechanical Engineering ($79,016) Chemical Engineering ($76,680) Civil Engineering ($75,510) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($71,068) Economics ($62,091)

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

How does University of California-Los Angeles's Computer Science program score?
A score of 91/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of California-Los Angeles'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 69% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of California-Los Angeles rank so high for Computer Science?
The #1 ranking out of 443 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →