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Computer Science at University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Amherst, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
88 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
89
Optimistic
88
Base Case
80
Pessimistic
Earnings $88,554/yr (20% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 17.1x earnings multiple (7.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #27 of 345 Computer Science programs Top 10%

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 $1,258K $1,188K $846K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.1x 17.1x 12.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.0x 7.6x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 89 88 80

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$69,428
Out-of-state: $157,172 (7.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$94,764
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,679
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$132,046
49% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $88,554 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst come in 20% above the national median of $73,713 for Computer Science programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Science programs nationally.

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.

With first-year pay of $88,554 far exceeding the $22,679 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #27 of 345 programs, University of Massachusetts-Amherst's Computer Science program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Earnings grow from $88,554 to $132,046 over five years — a 49% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Massachusetts-Amherst

A 58% admission rate makes University of Massachusetts-Amherst accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 23,694 in Amherst, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Massachusetts-Amherst →

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 University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Computer Engineering ($89,327) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($81,452) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($79,414) Mechanical Engineering ($73,972) Chemical Engineering ($72,514) Industrial Engineering ($70,554) Civil Engineering ($69,757) Finance and Financial Management Services ($68,920)

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 University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
This program scores 88/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Computer Science nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
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 $846,009 in decade earnings vs $1,258,269 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →