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Computer Science at University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Computer and Information Sciences, General
85 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
86
Optimistic
85
Base Case
79
Pessimistic
Earnings $67,565/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)
ROI 18.9x earnings multiple (7.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #78 of 443 Computer and Information Sciences, General programs Top 25%

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 $916K $882K $687K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.6x 18.9x 14.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.8x 7.5x 5.8x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 74% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 86 85 79

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$46,800
Out-of-state: $117,648 (7.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$69,460
-48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,811
4.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$94,912
40% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $67,565/yr, edging above the $62,617 national average for Computer Science — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 18.9x 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 — 69% task exposure — and the 25% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $25,811 in median debt against $67,565 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #78 out of 443 programs, University of Kansas's Computer Science program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $67,565 to $94,912 shows 40% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Kansas

University of Kansas has a 88% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 19,857 in Lawrence, KS.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Kansas →

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) University of California-Los Angeles ($136,099) 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)

Other Majors at University of Kansas

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($81,330) Architectural Engineering ($76,353) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($71,244) Mechanical Engineering ($70,726) Civil Engineering ($68,486) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($65,347) Chemical Engineering ($63,870) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($62,993)

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 Kansas's Computer Science program score?
A score of 85/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Kansas'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 Kansas rank so high for Computer Science?
The #78 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 →